V. Craig Jordan, PhD, DSc, pioneer of hormone therapy for the treatment of breast cancer, died June 9, 2024, at the age of 76. I worked with Craig from 2005 to 2008 when we were both at Fox Chase Cancer Center, and then here at Lombardi from 2009 to 2014, where he served as our scientific director.
Most of us know Craig as the first to discover the breast cancer preventive properties of tamoxifen. His findings revolutionized the field of breast cancer, leading to improved therapy options for millions of women and ushering in a new era of breast cancer prevention. Tamoxifen remains one of the most widely used anti-estrogen drugs in breast cancer treatment.
Some of us know that Craig was born in Texas but grew up in England. He was educated at Leeds University, and in his career worked there, in Switzerland and eventually here in the United States, first at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, then at Northwestern, before he moved to Fox Chase, where he teamed up with his then-wife Monica Morrow as the quintessential “power couple” in breast oncology. Their home in the Philadelphia suburbs was truly remarkable, as was his collection of swords and antique firearms.
I was fortunate to convince Craig to join me shortly after I relocated to Georgetown; his recruitment was a sign to the rest of the world that Georgetown Lombardi was resuming its rightful place as one of the nation’s leading cancer centers. The recipient of numerous awards, including election to the National Academy of Sciences in 2009, he continued his highly impactful work here, collaborating with numerous distinguished colleagues, many of them friends as well.
Craig was truly larger than life. He had to live in Virginia when he moved here because of his exotic collections, which were not legal in DC. His life stories were the stuff of legend, and included his stint in the intelligence corps of the British army as a reserve officer in the Special Air Service (SAS), the famed British commando unit. He was one of the great raconteurs I have known.
Craig moved to MD Anderson in 2014, and we gradually lost touch over the years. He died following a seven-year battle with metastatic kidney cancer. But his impact has been enduring, and he left this world better than he found it. May he rest easy.
Make the world a better place this week.
Lou
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